Schools across the UK are witnessing a rise in violent attacks on teachers and hostile student behaviour. According to a BBC study, nearly one in five teachers reported being physically abused by a pupil in the last 12 months, with many commenting on a deterioration in student behaviour since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having worked with many schools to enhance student and staff safety, Pinpoint has a strong understanding of the unique safety challenges schools face and the best strategies to improve security on-site.

Have a read of our insider knowledge on how to create a safer school environment.

School security systems

From our experience, installing an advanced safety alarm system is the most effective means of tackling violence in schools. This is because it both stops a violent attack in its tracks and prevents abusive behaviour from ever occurring.

With the Pinpoint P2 safety system, school staff are given discreet, personal alarms to activate should they witness hostile or aggressive behaviour from a student.

With two call levels, Assistance and Emergency – corresponding to the severity of the incident – staff members can quickly alert and summon colleagues to their location with the press of a button. The efficiency and precision of this process allow response staff to quickly intervene and de-escalate the situation, preventing a physical attack from taking place.

Moreover, previous clients report a reduction in aggressive behaviour from pupils; the knowledge that teachers can raise the alarm within seconds acts as a deterrent.

The presence of a security alarm in schools instils confidence in staff, students, and parents that safety is a top priority. And, with access to a powerful, personal alarm, teachers can deliver the highest quality of lessons without the threat of abuse.

De-escalation training 

De-escalation training equips teachers with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage conflict and prevent potentially violent incidents through purposeful action and verbal communication.   

Covering topics such as body language and active listening, de-escalation training offers teachers proactive, preventative and responsive strategies to address anti-social behaviour from pupils. Importantly, it also provides school staff with an insight into why students may act violently and the triggers leading to attacks on teachers.

With this training in their repertoire, staff are better able to manage challenging behaviour and provide support to an agitated pupil, reducing the risk of aggressive incidents and attacks.

Zero-tolerance approach 

Implementing a zero-tolerance policy towards pupil violence is vital to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment. By clearly stating that abusive behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances, schools minimise instances of violence and create a culture of respect and safety toward others.

Embedding this approach into the school’s policy ensures that any violent act is dealt with promptly and consistently, reducing ambiguity and ensuring fair treatment for all involved.

As such, a zero-tolerance approach to abuse fosters a safer, positive school setting for all.

Risk assessments 

In some cases where a pupil displays consistently high levels of aggression, an individual risk assessment may be needed to prevent abusive incidents from taking place.

Here, ‘triggers’ for hostile or aggressive behaviour should be identified and strategies devised to actively avoid or better manage them are necessary to reduce violent attacks and create an environment where the individual feels safe and secure. 

The risk assessment should be shared with all school staff, and the teacher working with said individual should be given a personal alarm to activate if needed.

Schools should be safe, secure learning environments for all – students, staff, and parents. A rise in pupil violence must be counteracted by preventative measures which target potential triggers, reduce aggressive or hostile behaviour and effectively intervene in high-risk situations. 

The measures outlined above, when used together, are powerful tools against harmful, anti-social behaviour, and create a safer, more welcoming educational environment for pupils and staff alike to thrive in.

Considering a safety alarm system for your school? Get in touch with us to discuss the right alarm system for your workplace.